Riot Games‘ fictional world of Runeterra is a vast setting filled with various characters and geographical regions to explore. For many, Arcane was their first encounter with this rich setting. With that series now wrapped, what comes next? Here are a few possibilities for what Riot’s next animated endeavor could hold for fans.
1) The Noxian Invasion of Ionia
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This option feels like the easy choice for Riot Games’ next animated journey. So many elements make it a desirable sophomore series for the company. Not the least of which is the familiar villain of Noxus.
With the agents of this militaristic empire playing a pivotal role in the second season of Arcane, fans whose only connection to Runeterra is that series will have a recognizable element to help them acclimate to the new series while still having lots of new elements to experience. With the slogan “Kill them till their family,” the viewers will likely be shocked by how hard the Noxians go when bringing a new region into the fold. The reveal of champions like the murderous Sion and the deadly Katarina would also provide exciting fights for the series to wow fans. And, of course, the mysterious Black Rose could return as they continue manipulating the world of Runeterra from the shadows.
Though familiar elements may help returning viewers ease into a new story, it is the latest that would pull them in. Ionia’s people bear a gorgeous Eastern-inspired visual style populated with fan-favorite character types like monks and ninjas. Rather than simply apeing the real world, though, Ionia brings a twist to its design by having a unique harmony with nature that animation studio Fortiche‘s visual style would be perfect for.
The people of Ionia live in harmony with nature. Rather than cutting down trees to build homes, trees are shaped to form the dwellings of the people who live on the islands that make up Ionia. These natural structures make a stark contrast to the industrial style of Noxus. The elegant twists and curves of the natural structure presented in the same visual style as Arcane would be amazing.
The final element that suggests this story will be Riot’s next journey is the heroes calling Ionia home—franchise favorites like Ahri, Yasuo, Akali, and more hail from the island chain. A wide range of new and familiar stories are baked into these personalities, allowing for lots of character exploration as the invasion plays out.
2) The Struggles For Justice In Demacia
If Riot Games wants to steer its next series into a deepening look at the arcane in Runeterra and the divide it creates in the world, Demacia would be an excellent setting for this. Born in the aftermath of the Runic Wars, we got a brief flashback to these events via Hiemerdinger in Arcane Season One. Magic has come to be outlawed in the nation, and practitioners are not treated kindly.
This starting point would allow us to take a deeper gaze into the world’s magical side while also continuing the exploration of social inequality that Arcane begins. Being a mage in Demacia isn’t a choice people make. Some are just born with magical affinities, creating a sharp divide within the city’s populace. Champions from games like Sylas and Lux have their stories built around these social problems.
There could also be a deep exploration of the history of Demacia and how it got here. If Riot took this route, they could introduce a key element of the world, the Aspects. These magical beings represent fundamental life elements, like mythological gods. In this case, the sisters Morganna and Kayle, twin Aspects of Justice who played a part in Demacia’s founding, could be used to guide viewers from past to present, possibly culminating with the duo appearing for the story’s finale, dramatically shifting the balance of the story.
3) The Fight For Control Of Bilgewater
If Riot Games is looking to go in an entirely different direction from the course Arcane charts, then they may set sail for the pirate port of Bilgewater. The story here would likely center on the feud between Captains Sarah Fortune and Gangplank. The battle is not just one for power but also vengeance, as Gangplank is responsible for the murder of Fortune’s parents.
Surrounding the high seas battles, the tropical locale is also home to strange and mystical creatures that would bring plenty of unique flavor to the story. From the undead Pyke, who seeks vengeance on any who call themselves “Captain,” to the monstrous Nautilous, who will rise from the depths to claim any ship foolish enough not to pay the Bilgewater tithe when leaving the port, there are plenty of exciting threads the story could pull in.
4) Surviving The Frozen Freljord
The northernmost area of the central continent of Runeterra, the Freljord, is an unforgiving land that presents a plethora of narrative opportunities for Riot to explore. A story here could continue to focus on social clashes by highlighting the struggles between the tribal groups that populate the region, or it could take a new direction, focusing on the brutal natural threats that endanger its inhabitants.
Nowhere in the Freljord does one find the fixed structures and sprawling cities of Piltover and Zaun. Rather, nomads struggle to scrap by through harsh winters filled with dangerous predators. But while mundane dangers are more than enough to keep the people who call the Freljord home on their toes, the mystical also abounds within the region.
Arcane fans may remember a flashback from Jayce showing him and his mother traveling through a harsh wilderness when a mage saves them. This most likely was in the Freljord. The magic that saves Jayce is a small sample of the mystical powers fans could expect to see. From True Ice weapons that can only be carried by certain people known as Ice Born to ancient threats locked away, waiting to escape and consume all of Runeterra, the magical abounds between the endlessly falling snowflakes of the frozen north.
5) Ascending Targon‘s Peak
If Riot Games chooses to dive into the arcane elements of its world to the fullest, then Mount Targon would be the location to select. This staggering spire of rock juts out of Runeterra, challenging anyone who dares to ascend its vertical spires. The few who survive the ascent find themselves changed by the experience. Few will return, bearing the power of one of the Aspects of Runeterra and a new path for them laid out in the stars.
This path would likely be both the most magical choice Riot could take and the grandest in scale. Bringing in vast, celestial creatures like the dragon Aurelion Sol would guarantee an increase in scope from the struggles of Piltover and Zaun. This increase in scope would also be a great avenue to introduce the otherworldly Watchers, residents of the Void who look to destroy all of Runeterra.
The star-filled vistas and magical nature of this story feel like concepts meant for the gorgeous visuals one would expect from Riot’s next series. With so much mystery surrounding Tragon’s Peak, it would allow the creatives to really stretch their wings without worrying about upsetting those familiar with the region’s current lore.
These are just some of the paths Riot Games could explore for their next animated series. Whatever they choose, if you are like us, you can’t wait to see what will come next.
